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Canada responds to flooding in Mozambique

March 12, 2013 - Canada is providing immediate lifesaving assistance for approximately 150,000 people affected by flooding in southern Mozambique, announced the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation. Canada is providing support for food and nutrition, water and sanitation, health care, emergency shelter and protection.

"Canada is ensuring that those affected by this crisis are receiving immediate emergency support through our partners on the ground," said Minister Fantino. "Families have been uprooted and are struggling to survive. Through Canada's response, their needs are being met."

Since early January, heavy rains across the southern Africa region have caused widespread flooding. Mozambique has been the hardest hit, with the destruction of houses, schools, health centres and crops. An estimated 150,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in search of safer areas. As well, the destruction of crops by the flood waters has further intensified an already existing situation of high food insecurity, following drought-related crop failures in late 2012.

Canada will continue to monitor the situation to ensure humanitarian needs are met and provide further assistance if required.

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For more information, media should contact:

Daniel Bezalel Richardsen
Press Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Email: danielbezalel.richardsen@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
Email: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CIDA_CA

Backgrounder

Heavy rains have led to an increase in water levels in river basins across central and southern Mozambique, affecting approximately 150,000 people, damaging houses, schools, health centres, and infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and electrical and drainage systems.

Today's announcement will provide support to the following organizations to meet critical needs including food, safe drinking water, sanitation, shelter and other emergency relief items:

  • International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will help to provide emergency shelter and non-food relief items, as well as emergency health care, water and sanitation, and hygiene promotion to affected populations. ($35,000)
  • Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS) is deploying medical supplies, medical equipment, and three Canadian health experts to support the IFRC's emergency operations in Mozambique. This deployment is being facilitated through an ongoing CIDA-funded project with CRCS.
  • UNICEF will help to provide access to safe water and basic sanitation to flood-affected communities, as well as provide targeted nutrition and protection services to particularly vulnerable people including children, women and the elderly. ($500,000)
  • United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will provide immediate lifesaving food assistance for those affected by the flooding. This includes meeting basic food needs and helping to restore food production capacity. ($500,000)
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM) will help to improve access to emergency shelters for flood-displaced populations. This includes the distribution of emergency shelter kits and essential non-food items, as well as to assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts for households and communities, when they are able to return home. ($200,000)

International Humanitarian Assistance Program

CIDA, through its International Humanitarian Assistance Program, aims to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain the dignity of those affected by conflicts and natural disasters by providing appropriate, timely, and effective responses.